I'll file daily mailbags throughout the week so check back if you don't see the answer to your question.

Also, if you've got a question and would like to submit it, send it to Saintsmailbag@timespicayune.com. And don't forget to include your name and residence.

Now, on to today's Q&A:

Q: Do you think the offensive line is the heart of the problem? All day Sunday, outside the penalties, the Saints O-line was constantly getting beat, and Drew was taking way too many hits as he has all season. Also the line couldn't consistently create holes without getting penalties. Do you think this has contributed to Drew Brees' poor reads on some of the interceptions this season? Hector Garcia, Humble, Texas.

A: The offensive line definitely hasn't played at the same level as it did a year ago and this is somewhat baffling since the entire unit returned intact and young players like Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans should be improving at this stage of their careers. Instead, it seems like the group has regressed. They really struggled against some of the Browns' unorthodox looks on Sunday. On Brees' first interception, two Browns rushers were able to beat five Saints blockers. That's simply inexcusable. Brees was sacked three times and hit eight other times, often with only three- and four-man rushes. But certainly the line isn't the sole reason behind the offense's struggles. But they certainly are a part of it. This group can play much better than it has this season.

Q: What are the chances that Gregg Williams and the Saints take a chance on Shawne Merriman? I know he has lost a step the last two season due to injuries but as history has shown the Chargers have given up on players with a lot of tread still on the tires. Justin Thomas, League City, Texas.

A: The Saints undoubtedly could use help at strong-side linebacker, but I don't think Merriman is the answer for a number of reasons. First and foremost, he's damaged goods. There's a reason the Chargers are willing to let Merriman walk even though they are struggling and hurting at linebacker. He's been a shadow of the player he was before shredding his knee against the Titans in 2007. Moreover, Merriman's off-field behavior hasn't been anything close to Saint-like. He's battled the front office over contracts, missed offseason workouts, failed a drug test and been arrested for domestic assault. The Saints have assembled a locker-room full of team-first players. Merriman seems like a bad fit in almost every way.

Q: This year the Saints are undefeated with Reggie Bush and have a losing record without. Will he be able to make it onto the field this Sunday? If so do you think our offense can get its swagger back because of that? Brian DeLancey, Austin, Texas.

A: Reggie Bush is not the answer to the Saints' ills. They need to execute better and play with a greater sense of urgency to return to the level of play they displayed last season. Certainly Bush's playmaking ability will help. He's an explosive weapon in the passing game and a threat on punt returns. But Bush's absence is not what's wrong with the Saints. Their issues are far greater than that.

Q: Is it possible that Drew Brees' knee injury is worse than they are telling us? His accuracy, usually his best asset, has been poor since the injury and I wonder if he has trouble shifting his weight from one leg to another when he is throwing. He also hasn't been running any sprint-out passes, or "climbing the pocket." Also, what do you think is the main problem with our special teams? Brad Powell, Henderson, Nev.

A: Trust me, I would never put it past the Saints to lie about a players' injury. It's happened before and will happen again in the Sean Payton era. But this is one time I think they're telling the truth. Brees played without a brace for the first time on Sunday and looked more mobile than he has in any game since the injury. They did, in fact, run several rollout passes with him and he showed no signs of limitation. Brees' knee wasn't the problem. Poor execution and preparation were the issues. The Saints simply got outplayed and outcoached. The Saints' special teams have been decent this season, with the exception of their well-documented place-kicking woes. Credit the Browns for good execution and game-planning on the fake punt. They clearly saw something in the Saints' return units that led them to believe they could successfully execute it. That call took guts, as well. Not many coaches would call for the fake from their own 23. I think it says more about the Browns than it does about the Saints.